Golf is regarded as one of the most popular and loved sports in the UK. It can easily be traced by the huge number of 1872 well-furnished golf courses, which is greater than any part of Europe. It is estimated that the economic value of golf is around 2 billion Euros, or approximately 7% of the gross value added (GVA). Furthermore, the 2020 statistics reveal that UK manufacturers managed to sell around 127.8 million worth of British clubs and golf merchandise and equipment. This easily reveals the English’s key interest in the golfing industry, which is greater than in any part of the world.
Gambling and the sporting industry share a positive mutual relationship with each sector deriving benefits from the other. This holds true in the case of the golf industry too. GolfNews.co.uk reveals that betting in the golf industry is much in demand, since access to betting in golf is far easier, and the UK gambling industry is offering both a dedicated online casino and a sports betting provider. Moreover, several famous bookies have accommodated live betting in their portfolio, which creates excitement among fans, as well as provides more gambling opportunities.
But, the recent development and upsurge in golf betting also brought with it several baneful effects. It is noticed that more and more golf fans are falling prey to problem gambling, and gambling addiction. The UK is one of the worst affected nations by problem gambling, with over 3 million problem gamblers, and 7% of the population is negatively affected by gambling.
To tackle the growing menace of problem gambling, and gambling addiction, the United Kingdom Gambling Committee(UKGC) made it mandatory for all UKGC-licensed casinos to provide the self-exclusion program of GamStop.
GamStop, its Functionality, and Limitations
GamStop is the most popular self-exclusion program available in the UK. It excludes the user from partaking in any gambling programs during the period of exclusion. The registration comes free of cost, and one can easily get themselves registered from the official site of GamStop. The process is highly simplistic and requires few authentic personal details, such as name, registered address, phone number, email id, and bank details.
The user needs to complete the personal details, and then follow another page to select the period of exclusion between 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. GamStop effectively blocks the user from receiving any notifications of games of gambling from UKGC licensed casinos or playing any games in UKGC licensed casinos, bookmarkers, etc. After the period of exclusion is over, the GamStop account gets deactivated, and the user can continue their gambling and other gaming practises
However, the functionality of using GamStop only extends to UKGC licensed casinos. A user can easily breach the GamStop agreement and find non GamStop betting sites via CasinoGap.org licensed by Curacao Gaming License or Malta Gaming Authority even if they have their own self-exclusion.
Golf Bookmarkers Linked to GamStop
Several big brand names of bookmarkers are a part of the GamStop network. In short, the bookmarkers that are licensed under the UKGC network, are also part of the GamStop Network:
- William Hill – Gamblers prefer William Hill the most when it comes to choosing the big odds, and plethora of events. It features a ‘big range of golf events’, ‘excellent choice of betting markets’, ‘in-play betting’, etc. which makes it an excellent choice for gamblers. William Hill is known for offering 37 separate markets during the Ryder Cup 2020
- Betfair – Another popular choice of gamblers in Betfair. It is seen that golf odds vary from bookmaker to bookmaker with small fluctuations merely, but Betfair Exchange seems to be different and fixes the odds.
- Paddypower – Another trustworthy bookmark is the Paddypower, which offers great terms for golf. It includes 37 markets which is pretty much a huge number.
- Bet365 – Though Bet365 is recognised as the best bookie for football betting, it extends great opportunities for Play betting too, which is highly favoured.
- Ladbrokes – It offers excellent odds in golf betting, and several opportunities for in-play betting too.
Several other popular bookmarkers include BetVictor, 888Sport, Coral, Boylesports, etc. which is in vogue among the regular gamblers and avail GamStop network.
Conclusion
The choice of a bookmarker varies with the individual, and type of betting game they choose, and the gamble they wish to place. However, once they are registered with GamStop, they are barred from making any gambling transactions.
GamStop has significantly promoted responsible gambling. Furthermore, it has been observed that more and more golf fans are registering themselves with the GamStop self-exclusion program. This could be due to the efforts of the star players such as Rory Mcllroy, Tyrell Hatton, Paul Casey, etc. who promote responsible gambling among their fans.